Coronavirus: Hong Kong building evacuated after 2 cases found

Hong Kong - Residents showing symptoms will be sent to the hospital for quarantine, the CHP said.

Dozens of people were evacuated after two cases of the novel coronavirus infection were found in the same residential building in Hong Kong, the city's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Tuesday.

As the 62-year-old female patient of Hong Kong's 42nd case announced on Monday and the 75-year-old male patient of the 12th case confirmed on January 30 both reside on different floors in Hong Mei House, Cheung Hong Estate, the CHP said it was proactively following up to investigate whether the two infections were related, reports Xinhua news agency.

The CHP has coordinated with relevant government departments and organizations to formulate and execute corresponding measures on Monday night.

A multi-disciplinary response team has also been activated to investigate and examine if environmental factors were involved in the infection of the two cases.

CHP personnel also inspected the building on Monday night and conducted active case-finding on residents living in the whole block, covering 30 odd floors, to identify if there were undiagnosed cases.

Residents showing symptoms will be sent to the hospital for quarantine, the CHP said.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Housing Department will conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection for the building.

The total number of the novel coronavirus infection cases in Hong Kong has risen to 42 as of Tuesday morning.

Among Monday's six confirmed cases, five involve two families, triggering warning about outbreaks in families and communities